Kayla Harrison

Last updated

Kayla Harrison
Kayla Harrison - Rio 2016 (cropped).jpg
Harrison at the 2016 Olympics
Born (1990-07-02) July 2, 1990 (age 34)
Middletown, Ohio, U.S.
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm) [1]
Weight136 lb (62 kg; 9 st 10 lb)
Division Bantamweight (2024–present)
Featherweight (2020, 2023)
Lightweight (2018–2022)
Reach66 in (168 cm) [2]
Style Judo
Fighting out of Coconut Creek, Florida
Team American Top Team (2018–present) [3] [4]
Trainer Jimmy Pedro
Rank     6th dan black belt in judo
Years active2018–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total18
Wins17
By knockout6
By submission7
By decision4
Losses1
By decision1
Notable club(s)NYAC [1]
USA Judo National Team FORCE
Website kaylaharrison.com
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Women's judo
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2012 London 78 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2016 Rio de Janeiro 78 kg
World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2010 Tokyo 78 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2011 Paris 78 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2014 Chelyabinsk 78 kg
Pan American Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2011 Guadalajara 78 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2015 Toronto 78 kg
Pan American Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2011 Guadalajara 78 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2016 Havana 78 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2015 Edmonton 78 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2010 San Salvador 78 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2013 San José 70 kg
World Masters
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2015 Rabat 78 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2016 Guadalajara 78 kg
IJF Grand Slam
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2012 Rio de Janeiro 78 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2014 Tokyo 78 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2015 Tokyo 78 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2011 Rio de Janeiro 78 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2011 Tokyo 78 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2012 Paris 78 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2014 Tyumen 78 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2016 Paris 78 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2015 Baku 78 kg
IJF Grand Prix
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2010 Abu Dhabi 78 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2011 Qingdao 78 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2012 Düsseldorf 78 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2014 Havana 78 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2015 Düsseldorf 78 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2015 Tbilisi 78 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2015 Budapest 78 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2016 Budapest 78 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2015 Jeju 78 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2010 Düsseldorf 78 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2010 Rotterdam 78 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2014 Jeju 78 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2015 Qingdao 78 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2016 Havana 78 kg
World Juniors Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2008 Bangkok 78 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2009 Paris 78 kg

Kayla Harrison (born July 2, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist and multiple Olympic gold medalist and world champion judoka. She was the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo.

Contents

She currently competes in the Women’s Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of July 2, 2024, she is #3 in the UFC women's bantamweight rankings, and as of July 2, 2024, she is #13 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings. [5]

Harrison competed in the 78 kg (172 lb) weight category in judo. She won the 2010 World Judo Championships, gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, and gold at the 2011 and 2015 Pan American Games. [1]

After the 2016 Olympics, she moved into mixed martial arts and she was the former Professional Fighters League lightweight champion. In March 2023, Harrison was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame. [6]

Early life

Born in Middletown, Ohio, [7] Harrison took up judo at the age of six, having been introduced to the sport by her mother, who was a black belt. She graduated from Middletown High School (Ohio). [8]

She began training under coach Daniel Doyle, and won two national championships by the age of 15. During that period, Doyle was sexually abusing Harrison, who reported it to another judoka, who in turn told Harrison's mother. She subsequently reported this to the police. [9] Doyle was convicted and sentenced to a ten-year prison term. [9] A month after the abuse was revealed, she moved away from her home in Ohio to Boston to train with Jimmy Pedro and his father. [9]

Career

Judo

Harrison changed weight classes in 2008, from the 63 kg division to the 78 kg division. She could not compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics as the United States had not qualified in that division. She won the 2008 Junior World Championship that year, and the following year placed second, becoming the first American to compete in two Junior World Championships finals. [7]

Harrison won the gold medal in the 78 kg category at the 2010 World Championships, [10] the first American to do so since 1999 (when her coach, Jimmy Pedro, did so in Birmingham, United Kingdom). [11] At the 2011 World Championships in Paris, she placed third taking the bronze medal. Harrison had lost to the eventual winner, Audrey Tcheuméo of France, in her semi-final. [12]

Prior to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Harrison was injured during training, having torn a medial collateral ligament. [9] On August 2, 2012, she won the Olympic title in the 78 kg category, defeating Gemma Gibbons of Britain by two yukos, to become the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo. [13] [14] She earned a second Olympic gold medal in the same weight class in 2016 in Rio, defeating Audrey Tcheuméo of France.

In 2015, Harrison was elected to the United States Judo Federation Hall Of Fame [15] and on August 31, 2016, following her second Olympic gold medal, the United States Judo Association made a batsugun promotion of Harrison to rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) making her the youngest person in the US to ever be awarded this rank.

Mixed martial arts

Harrison, a former training partner of fellow judoka Ronda Rousey, announced in October 2016 that she had signed with World Series of Fighting. While she would initially work as a commentator she also indicated she was contracted to fight, in the women's 145 pounds (66 kg) division. [16] [17]

Professional Fighters League

PFL season 2018

Harrison made her MMA debut at PFL 2 on June 21, 2018, against Brittney Elkin in the Women's Lightweight division. [18] She won via submission due to an armbar in the first round. [19]

For her second professional fight, Harrison faced Jozette Cotton at PFL 6 on August 16, 2018. [20] She won the fight via TKO in the third round. [21]

Harrison was on the main card for PFL 11 in 2018 and defeated Moriel Charneski via first-round TKO; after her victory, it appeared that she was not completely content with her own performance. [22] [23]

PFL season 2019

Harrison was expected to headline the first event of PFL's second season against Svetlana Khautova on May 9, 2019. [24] Khautova withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Larissa Pacheco. [25] Harrison won the fight by unanimous decision. [26]

Harrison faced Morgan Frier in the co-main event of PFL 4 on July 11, 2019. [27] She won the fight by key lock submission in the first round. [28] Subsequently, Harrison signed a new long-term contract extension with the PFL. [29]

After becoming second in the preliminary round standing, Harrison secured a position at the playoffs. She was originally scheduled to face number 3 ranked Genah Fabian at PFL 7 on October 11, 2019, but Fabian was forced to pull out of the bout. [30] Fabian was replaced by number 5 Bobbi Jo Dalziel. [31] Harrison would win the fight by an armbar in the first round. [32]

Harrison faced Larissa Pacheco in rematch for the Women's Lightweight final at PFL 10 on December 31, 2019. [33] After dominating every round with her superior grappling, Harrison won the fight by unanimous decision to win the 2019 Women's Lightweight Championship. [34]

PFL season 2020

Harrison was expected to compete in the season 2020 of PFL, but the complete season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [35] [36]

Other promotions

With the 2020 PFL season cancelled, Harrison was handed a contract exemption to sign with the Invicta FC and made her debut in the Featherweight division against Courtney King at Invicta FC 43 on November 20, 2020. [37] She won the fight via TKO in the second round. [38]

Harrison was then expected to compete for Titan FC. [39] She was scheduled to face Jozette Cotton in a rematch on December 17, 2020, at Titan FC 66. [40] The day before the fight, Cotton was hospitalized due to a bad weight cut and the bout was cancelled. [41]

PFL season 2021

Kayla faced Mariana Morais on May 6, 2021, at PFL 3 for the start of the 2021 season. [42] She won the bout via TKO in the first round. [43]

Kayla faced Cindy Dandois on June 25, 2021, at PFL 6. [44] She won the bout in the first round via an arm bar submission. [45]

Kayla faced Genah Fabian in the Semifinals of the Women's Lightweight tournament on August 19, 2021, at PFL 8. [46] She won the bout in the first round via TKO by way of ground and pound. [47]

Kayla faced Taylor Guardado in the Finals of the Women's Lightweight tournament on October 27, 2021, at PFL 10. [48] She won the bout via armbar in the second round. [49]

Being one of the most sought-after free agents in the sport, Harrison ended up signing a contract with Bellator MMA in March of 2022. [50] However, PFL exercised their matching right, and Harrison re-signed – a deal set to be terminated in December of 2023 – with them. [50]

Harrison faced Marina Mokhnatkina on May 6, 2022, at PFL 3. [51] She won the bout via unanimous decision. [52]

Harrison was scheduled to face Julia Budd on July 1, 2022, at PFL 6. [53] However, a week before the event, Budd pulled out due to injury and was replaced by Kaitlin Young. [54] Harrison won the bout, with the referee stoppage at the 2:35 mark of the first round. [55]

Harrison faced Martina Jindrová in the Semifinals off the Women's Lightweight tournament on August 20, 2022, at PFL 9. [56] She won the bout in the first round via arm-triangle choke. [57]

Harrison faced Larissa Pacheco for a third time in the finals of the Women's Lightweight tournament on November 25, 2022, at PFL 10. [58] In an upset, she lost the fight via unanimous decision. [59]

PFL3 season 2023

After a year hiatus, Harrison was scheduled to face Julia Budd at PFL 10 on November 24, 2023. [60] However, Budd was removed from the fight that she "refused to fulfill her contractual obligation" and was replaced by Aspen Ladd at a catchweight of 150 pounds. [61] Harrison won the fight by unanimous decision. [62]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On January 23, 2024, Dana White announced that the UFC had signed Harrison and that she would make her promotional debut, as well as her bantamweight debut, against former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300. [63] Harrison won the fight against Holm by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round. [64]

Personal life

In 2020, Harrison acquired full custody of her niece Kyla and nephew Emery, after her stepfather – who had custody of the children at the time – died suddenly. [65] [66]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
18 matches17 wins1 loss
By knockout60
By submission70
By decision41
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win17–1 Holly Holm Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 300 April 13, 202421:47 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesBantamweight debut.
Win16–1 Aspen Ladd Decision (unanimous) PFL 10 (2023) November 24, 202335:00 Washington, D.C., United StatesCatchweight (150 lb) bout.
Loss15–1 Larissa Pacheco Decision (unanimous) PFL 10 (2022) November 25, 202255:00 New York City, New York, United States2022 PFL Women's Lightweight Tournament Final.
Win15–0Martina JindrováSubmission (arm-triangle choke) PFL 9 (2022) August 20, 202213:17 London, England2022 PFL Women's Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win14–0 Kaitlin Young TKO (punches) PFL 6 (2022) July 1, 202212:35 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win13–0 Marina Mokhnatkina Decision (unanimous) PFL 3 (2022) May 6, 202235:00 Arlington, Texas, United States
Win12–0Taylor GuardadoSubmission (armbar) PFL 10 (2021) October 27, 202124:00 Hollywood, Florida, United StatesWon the 2021 PFL Women's Lightweight Tournament.
Win11–0 Genah Fabian TKO (punches) PFL 8 (2021) August 19, 202114:01 Hollywood, Florida, United States2021 PFL Women's Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win10–0 Cindy Dandois Submission (armbar) PFL 6 (2021) June 25, 202114:44 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win9–0 Mariana Morais TKO (punches) PFL 3 (2021) May 6, 202111:23 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United StatesReturn to Lightweight.
Win8–0Courtney KingTKO (punches) Invicta FC 43: King vs. Harrison November 20, 202024:48 Kansas City, Kansas, United StatesFeatherweight debut.
Win7–0 Larissa Pacheco Decision (unanimous) PFL 10 (2019) December 31, 201955:00 New York City, New York, United StatesWon the 2019 PFL Women's Lightweight Tournament.
Win6–0Bobbi Jo DalzielSubmission (armbar) PFL 7 (2019) October 11, 201913:32 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States2019 PFL Women's Lightweight Semifinal.
Win5–0Morgan FrierSubmission (keylock) PFL 4 (2019) July 11, 201913:35 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win4–0 Larissa Pacheco Decision (unanimous) PFL 1 (2019) May 9, 201935:00 Uniondale, New York, United States
Win3–0Moriel CharneskiTKO (punches) PFL 11 (2018) December 31, 201813:39 New York City, New York, United States
Win2–0Jozette CottonTKO (punches) PFL 6 (2018) August 16, 201831:24 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win1–0Brittney ElkinSubmission (armbar) PFL 2 (2018) June 21, 201813:18 Chicago, Illinois, United StatesLightweight debut.

Judo record

ResultRec.OpponentScoreEventDivisionDateLocation
Win45–7 Flag of France.svg Audrey Tcheuméo 100–000 2016 Olympic Games 78 kg August 11, 2016 Flag of Brazil.svg Rio de Janeiro
Win44–7 Flag of Slovenia.svg Anamari Velenšek 100–000
Win43–7 Flag of Hungary.svg Abigél Joó 100–000
Win42–7 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Zhang Zhehui 100–000
Win41–7 Flag of Brazil.svg Mayra Aguiar 100–000 2016 Pan American Championships 78 kgApril 24, 2016 Flag of Cuba.svg Havana
Win40–7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Catherine Roberge 100–000
Win39–7 Flag of Venezuela.svg Andrymar Alfonzo 100–000
Loss38–7 Flag of South Korea.svg Yoon Hyun-ji 000–010 2015 World Championships 78 kg August 28, 2015 Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Astana
Win38–6 Flag of Guatemala.svg Mirla Nolberto 100–000
Win37–6 Flag of Brazil.svg Mayra Aguiar 100–000s1 2015 Pan American Games 78 kg July 14, 2015 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Toronto
Win36–6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Catherine Roberge 100–000s3
Win35–6 Flag of Guatemala.svg Mirla Nolberto 100–000
Loss34–6 Flag of Brazil.svg Mayra Aguiar 000–000 2015 Pan American Championships 78 kgApril 24, 2015 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Edmonton
Win34–5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Catherine Roberge 100–000
Win33–5 Flag of Mexico.svg Miriam Gonzalez 101–000
Win32–5 Flag of Portugal.svg Yahima Ramirez 000–000 2014 World Championships 78 kg August 29, 2014 Flag of Russia.svg Chelyabinsk
Loss31–5 Flag of Brazil.svg Mayra Aguiar 001–011
Win31–4 Flag of Slovenia.svg Anamari Velenšek 100–000
Win30–4 Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg Wang Szu-chu 101–000
Win29–4 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Catherine Roberge 000–000
Win28–4 Flag of Ecuador.svg Vanessa Chalá 2013 Pan American Championships 70 kgApril 19, 2013 Flag of Costa Rica.svg San José
Win27–4 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alix Renaud-Roy
Win26–4 Flag of Guatemala.svg Jenifer Ortiz
Loss25–4 Flag of Colombia.svg Yuri Alvear
Win25–3 Flag of Venezuela.svg Elvismar Rodríguez
Win24–3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gemma Gibbons 0020–0000 2012 Olympic Games 78 kg August 2, 2012 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London
Win23–3 Flag of Brazil.svg Mayra Aguiar 1010–0000
Win22–3 Flag of Hungary.svg Abigél Joó 1010–0100
Win21–3 Flag of Russia.svg Vera Moskalyuk 1000–0000
Win20–3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Catherine Roberge 011–001 2011 Pan American Games 78 kg October 27, 2011 Flag of Mexico.svg Guadalajara
Win19–3 Flag of Cuba.svg Yalennis Castillo 002–001
Win18–3 Flag of Brazil.svg Mayra Aguiar 001–000
Win17–3 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Marhinde Verkerk 001–000 2011 World Championships 78 kg August 26, 2011 Flag of France.svg Paris
Loss16–3 Flag of France.svg Audrey Tcheuméo 000–001
Win16–2 Flag of Japan.svg Hitomi Ikeda 010–000
Win15–2 Flag of Mongolia.svg Pürevjargalyn Lkhamdegd 101–000
Win14–2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Catherine Roberge 001–000
Win13–2 Flag of Brazil.svg Mayra Aguiar 000–000 2011 Pan American Championships 78 kgApril 1, 2011 Flag of Mexico.svg Guadalajara
Win12–2 Flag of Cuba.svg Yalennis Castillo 000–000
Win11–2 Flag of Haiti.svg Nadjeda Gena 102–000
Win10–2 Flag of Colombia.svg Anny Cortés 102–000
Win9–2 Flag of Brazil.svg Mayra Aguiar 001–000 2010 World Championships 78 kg September 9, 2010 Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo
Win8–2 Flag of Ukraine.svg Maryna Pryshchepa 102–000
Win7–2 Flag of France.svg Céline Lebrun 000–001
Win6–2 Flag of Slovenia.svg Anamari Velenšek 100–000
Win5–2 Flag of Germany.svg Luise Malzahn 003–000
Win4–2 Flag of Guatemala.svg Mirla Nolberto 100–000 2010 Pan American Championships 78 kgApril 9, 2010 Flag of El Salvador.svg San Salvador
Win3–2 Flag of Venezuela.svg Keivi Pinto 110–000
Loss2–2 Flag of Brazil.svg Mayra Aguiar 000–100
Win2–1 Flag of Argentina.svg Lorena Briceño 100–000
Loss1–1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Amy Cotton 000–001 2009 World Championships 78 kg August 26, 2009 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Rotterdam
Win1–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Samantha Lowe 000–000

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